Chapter 3: About Bridges
Chapter Text
September, 1st, 1998, Tuesday
The plates vanished from their house table after an excellent dessert course having further filling their already sated stomachs. The return to Hogwarts felt great for the students at the Gryffindor table. Like releasing a breath they hadn't realized they'd been holding.
During the summer, they had had each other's company while tirelessly reconstructing the castle. Most of the student had felt the need to participate and help rebuild their second home, for some their only home.
It had helped healing the wounds.
It had helped to realise that it was over.
Voldemort had fallen, as well as most of the Death Eaters. The ones who were still alive where sitting in Azkaban. The justice had been rigorous. This time, excuses implying the Imperius course had been examined thoroughly, claims of having been forced against ones will too.
The danger had passed. What remained was life. A peaceful life. A happy life. Hopefully, a happy life—for most of them.
The sorting had been different than before the war. The Sorting Hat had pronounced its concern and its apprehension towards dividing the students. It had reminded them of the importance of building bridges, of not abandoning others, of not letting down and of overlooking differences. Despite this, the first-year students sorted into Slytherin found themselves under the watchful eyes of their peers from other houses, who maintained a cautious demeanour tinged with prejudice.
Now, after the feast, feeling both satisfied and weary, the students turned their attention to the front of the Great Hall as Professor McGonagall stepped up to the podium, awaiting some friendly have-a-good-start-in-this-schoolyear-and-good-night-words before heading up to their dorms.
"Dear students of Hogwarts", McGonagall began serenely.
"It is with a profound sense of gratitude that I welcome you back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Gratitude to be able to be here, with you, under better circumstances than we've experienced in the past years.", she said, her gaze sweeping across the Great Hall.
"Throughout the war, our school, which had been a sanctuary, a haven to young witches and wizard for so long, was profaned by Death Eaters and turned into a battlefield.
However, our castle has been rebuilt with the unwavering strength of love and friendship. Once more, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all who played a part in its reconstruction."
Cheers erupted through the ranks as Professor McGonagall bowed lightly to the students, showing not only through speech but also through body language that she was very proud and thankful.
When the cheering subsided, she continued.
"Hogwarts will once again become the sanctuary it was always intended to be. However, the trials of war have tested not only our castle but also the resilience of many of you. You have endured numerous hardships, and the scars of that dark period will not be easily forgotten. "To ensure that everyone in need receives the necessary support and assistance, we have decided to introduce several new measures. Starting this year, we will have two psychotherapists joining our staff: Mrs. Jane Sermo and Mr. Charles Alma."
Polite applause resonated through the hall as the two new staff members rose from the staff table. Mrs. Sermo, with her long, flowing golden-brown hair and a fair, radiant complexion, stood out in her grace. Beside her, Mr. Alma, tall and well-built with dark, neatly groomed hair, exuded a commanding presence. Both acknowledged the students with nods before taking their seats once more.
"You may find Mrs. Sermo's and Mr. Alma's office beneath the staff room on the ground floor.", McGonagall continued. "Both of them have consultation hours during which you will be able to seek them out. They will also be on call at night, if needed. I kindly request that you acquaint yourselves with the details by checking the information board located beneath their office door. Beside this consultation hours, group therapy will also be established. Mrs. Sermo and Mr. Alma will visit your respective Houses throughout the upcoming week to discuss these services with you. They are entirely optional, but we strongly encourage you to make use of them should the need arise.
"We also recognise that some of you may have difficulties concerning sleep, which is why we have implemented a few changes. Teapots have been placed in each common room to brew tea upon request, with the hope of offering comfort to those struggling to relax. Please feel free to use them as needed.
Additionally, understanding that not all of you may have restful nights and might therefore need more time in the mornings, we have decided to adjust the starting time for classes. From now on, classes will begin at 9:30 a.m."
A few cheers were to be heard from different places in the Great Hall before Professor McGonagall continued.
"Regarding classes, it is my pleasure to introduce Professor Yllana Brosseau, who will be assuming the roles of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher as well as Flying instructor."
Applause exploded among the students, with some even standing to get a better view of the woman at the staff table. She had a strong and powerful physique, exuding strength and confidence, while her dark Marley twists gracefully framed her shoulders. A confident and genuine smile adorned her face as she looked at the students.
"What is going on?", asked Hermione, bewildered as she looked at Ron standing beneath her.
"Brosseau was one of the best chasers of the "Faucons d'Azur"! That's a French quidditch team", he explained, noticing the puzzled look on her face. "She retired a few years ago and, from what I've heard, took up a job as an Auror with the French Ministry of Magic."
Professor Brosseau returned to her seat, and Professor McGonagall waited for the applause to subside before continuing her speech.
"Lastly, we feel it is time to heal the divisions that have troubled our school for far too long," McGonagall stated. She paused, her gaze sweeping across the Great Hall, while a tense silence fell over the house tables.
"It is in the spirit of unity that we begin this new academic year with a strong commitment to strengthening the bonds between our four esteemed houses. To support this goal, we are introducing a new initiative at Hogwarts: the establishment of study groups designed to bring together students from various houses."
Nervous whispers spread through the hall after the announcement. McGonagall surveyed the house tables again and raised her voice slightly to be heard over the murmurs.
"These groups are designed to foster inter-house connections, encourage cooperation, and celebrate the unique strengths of each one of you. By working closely with fellow students from different houses, you will have the opportunity to learn from one another, to appreciate diverse perspectives, and to discover the strength that lies in unity.
Our shared experiences during the war have taught us the value of standing together, and I believe that these study groups will not only enhance your academic endeavours but also enrich your overall experience at Hogwarts."
Again, McGonagall marked a pause, and the muttering amongst the students grew stronger.
"I don't understand. They can't possibly expect us to work with the Slytherins, can they?" Ron whispered incredulously. "They can't seriously think we'll work with bloody Malfoy after everything that's happened!"
"Hush, Ron. No one said you'd be working with Malfoy. And Professor McGonagall is about to say something more," Hermione admonished quietly.
"I want to assure you that the staff considered this matter with great care. Each study group was meticulously composed with deep consideration for every student.
The composition of each study group will be posted in your common room by tomorrow morning. You will also notice a new addition to your timetable, a dedicated slot from 3 to 4 o'clock in the afternoon for group studies. Attendance is mandatory. Specific classrooms have been allocated for each year's study sessions; these details will also be outlined on your timetable."
As the murmurs grew louder, Professor McGonagall raised her voice once more.
"Regarding our first-year students, since we are not yet familiar with you, your study groups have not yet been established. We will observe your progress during the first week, and based on these observations, the study groups will be created."
The murmuring was now growing quite loud, compelling McGonagall to exclaim, "Silence, please! We understand that this is significant news and there is much to process. However, I kindly ask that you hold any concerns until you have reviewed your assigned partners tomorrow morning."
She surveyed the room with a stern expression, pausing here and there to regard students who had been particularly vocal in their discontent, including Ron Weasley.
As the murmuring gradually subsided, McGonagall resumed speaking in a softer tone.
"I understand that you may have numerous questions at this time. Should these questions persist tomorrow, we will be happy to address them. For now, I encourage you to reflect on the importance of unity and the benefits of fostering inter-house connections as you prepare for bed. I wish each of you a peaceful and promising first night of the school year at Hogwarts."
"Really, I thought we were back for a pleasant last year at Hogwarts!", Ron continued his tirade while students around the hall began to rise and make their way to their respective common rooms.
"It is not my place to make some Slytherin block feel better of his past by some kind of hand holding during bloody stupid groups. And let's be frank, as if Malfoy would want to work with any of us! This is stupid!"
"Ron!", interjected Hermione. "Prof. McGonagall said the groups were built with a lot of reflection. I believe they did also take things like that in consideration. They know you will not work with Malfoy. I think McGonagall was right, we should wait until we see the groups before getting mad about them."
"Why did they tell us about the groups today, but will wait until tomorrow to show us the composition?" asked Harry, looking to Hermione.
"I believe it is because they anticipated great resistance to the idea. I think they didn't want the opposition to be directed at the fellow group members, but rather at the concept itself. This way, they hoped we would process it and calm down overnight and be more positive about the it tomorrow morning. The time until tomorrow serves as a kind of buffer, I think."
"Well, that's not gonna work for me. This idea is rubbish.", said Ron.
"So would you say they waited until after dinner to avoid the possibility of an uproar during the meal if they had told us earlier?", asked Harry.
"Yes, that might have been the idea. I mean, you heard all the murmuring during McGonagall's speech. Which by the way was very disrespectful, Ronald Weasley!", said Hermione.
Ron's ears turned a light shade of pink while he refused to look at her. "Yeah, well they can't expect us to be overjoyed."
"No, they can't" sighed Harry.
Startled by the tone of his voice, Ron and Hermione both glanced at Harry. He was shuffling along, his eyes fixed on his feet.
"Oh well I was really looking forward to a quiet and peaceful year. But I mean I am seen as the hero, as the loving and forgiving guy." He looked up at the other two.
"I testified in favour of Malfoy, and so did you, Hermione. They might as well think that we might be good partners for Malfoy. But honestly, I don't want to have to work with Malfoy. Testifying for him does not mean I am ready to be best friends, not even study partners actually. I am really afraid of what they fought I could be able to do while putting this group together. I don't want more stupid duties! Just one tranquil year at Hogwarts!"
"Calm down, Harry. We really ought to wait for tomorrow morning.", said Hermione, putting an appeasing hand on the back of Harrys arm. "Nobody said anything about being best friends with Malfoy. I believe in McGonagalls good assessments skills. Let us just wait before assuming the worst. Please!", she added, looking at both Ron and Harry with a pleading look in her eyes.
"All right", said Ron and Harry nodded, while his eyes returned to the floor before him.
"Anyway, I am really excited to go back to the common room! And those teapots sound like a wonderful idea", Hermione tried to cheer them up. It didn't really work and they continued their walk in silence, both her boys still brooding about the study groups.
The common room was already quite lively with the voices of many students. The first years looked in awe around them while Dennis Creevey showed them around. Watching these young students made Hermione smile. To know that a new generation, an innocent generation had arrived at Hogwarts sent a joyful feeling through her. McGonagall was right, bonding between houses was important. Learning that Slytherins were not bad just because they were Slytherins was important. She was aware of the prejudices existing in their generations – in all living generation actually. And if the study groups could help to erase that - or even just weaken these prejudices, then the work would be worth it.
She put a peck on both of her boys cheeks.
"Don't go to sleep to late. Classes are starting tomorrow. And we are part of it again!" She said smiling, and her boys both chuckled at her statement.
"Good night, 'Mione", said Ron and Harry nodded to her while she ascended the staircase to the dorm Parvati and her would now be sharing with the seventh year.
She was very thankful for not having a room only with Parvati, aware that this would have been very hard on her classmate. Loosing her best friend had been and still was very hard on her. A livelier entourage would surely be of help to the girl.
It also meant sharing a dorm with Ginny Weasley, which for Hermione was a very precious addition and she was looking forward to it.
As she arrived at the dorm, she found Ginny already unpacking her trunk while talking to a follow Gryffindor girl with blond hair that Hermione recognised as Magnolia from their DA-meetings.
Ginny turned to Hermione when she entered the room and smiled widely at her.
"Hermione! Welcome to our dorm. They added two more beds, which one is your trunk? They all just look alike! And what do you think of the study group problematic? You surely have already thought it through three times".
Magnolia smiled at her while listening to Ginny.
"Hey Hermione, Ginny has been so excited about you being in our dorm now, I think she might be in love with you."
That made Ginny burst out of laughter while Hermione chuckled. Well, that was going to be a very merry room.
"Whose are those three beds?", asked Hermione, showing to the three beds with unpacked unknown trunks in front of them.
"This one is Mary's and this one belongs to Caroline. And this one will then be Parvati's. But don't change the subject! What do you think?", answered Ginny.
Hermione stepped towards her new bed and started unpacking her trunk.
"Well, I believe that McGonagall is right."
At these, Ginny rolled her eyes.
"We really should wait until tomorrow morning before we can judge the idea. The groups might really be well thought about."
"They surely put you with Antony Goldstein", said Ginny. "Oh, imagine if they made a group of you, Antony Goldstein and Mandy Brockleshurst. You would be studying around the hour. We would never see you again!"
The dreamy expression which appeared on Hermiones face had Ginny and Magnolia bend in thow with laugher.
"Oh Merlin", said Ginny with tears in her eyes, "are you actually hoping for that?".
"Hoping for what?", said a bewildered Caroline, entering the room beside Parvati.
"A study group with…", but Ginny could not finish the sentence as another fit of laughter hit her.
"Ginny and Magnolia are making fun of a fictional study group with Antony Goldstein, Mandy Brockleshurst and me.", explained Hermione.
"Oh, that would be bad.", said Parvati. "We would never see you again."
This statement finished Ginny and Magnolia who both had to sit down on their bed in order to not fall of laughter.
"Well, this is going to be a merry dorm", murmured an amused Parvati, chuckling at the look of the two younger Gryffindors holding their belly.
September, 2nd, 1998
- The next morning -
Harry and Ron woke up with the first light of the day, which at the beginning of September was still quite early. They hastily put on some clothes and hasted down to the common room, eager to see if the study group composition had been put on the black board yet. Hermione and Ginny had gotten downstairs merely a few seconds earlier and where now standing in front of the board, already lost in thoughts. Beside them, the common room was still nearly empty, just a fifth year reading a book on the sofa and a sixth year lost in thoughts with a cup of tea in his hands.
"And? How is it", asked Ron while approaching the girls.
"Well, it's all right I guess", said Ginny. "Hermione, who are you with?", she asked while looking to a flabbergasted Hermione.
"Hermione? Are you all right?", added Harry. At this moment, Ginny burst out with laughter, while turning a back to the wall and sliding down to the floor.
Harry and Ron now looked quite alarmed about the tears laughing Ginny and the not moving Hermione.
"What is happening?", asked Ron
"Hermi… Hermio…", tried Ginny, not able to utter a proper sentence.
"Ginny might be laughing because of a joke she and Magnolia made yesterday." Hermione muttered. "And which has been proven correct"
"Merlin!", expressed Ron who had stepped up to the board. "Wow. Well. That… You…err.. are happy with your group, aren't you?"
"Who is it?", asked Harry again, while Ron made place for him to look at Hermione's group.
"I am in a group with Antony Goldstein, Terry Boot and Blaise Zabini.", said Hermione with a low voice.
"All right. Errr… Well then I guess they want your group to break the records of ever achieved N.E.W.T.'s at Hogwarts, don't they?", chuckled Harry.
"Happy they didn't put Mandy Brockleshurst with her", Ginny brought out before a fit of chuckle hit her again.
"That would have been really bad. We would never have see-"
"Don't say it", interrupted Hermione putting a hand on Rons mouth, but it was too late for Ginny. Tears of laughter were again rolling from her eyes while Harry chuckled at the scene.
"Well, who are you with anyway?", asked Hermione to Ron and Harry and both started looking for their names.
"Oh", said a surprised Harry, making Hermione look at his group. "Well, I think you were right Hermione. As always, I might add. I am with Susan Bones, Lisa Turpin and Wayne Hopkins. No Slytherin to look after. That should be a quite agreeable group actually. What about you, Ron?", said Harry, turning to him.
The facial expression Ron was wearing frightened him at once. Ron had become quite pale in and his eyes were wide opened. This sobered Ginny up who stood up to look at her brothers' group. The sobering didn't hold up long, as she busrtled out with laughter again.
"Merlin, that's… an interesting group", said Hermione.
"Are you kidding me? That is the worst group ever!", screamed Ron.
"Well at least you are not with Malfoy, aren't you?", interjected a chuckling Harry. Ron looked at him flabbergasted. "Me – in this group? Seriously? What were they thinking!"
"You will always be top informed about everything", Harry tried slowly. Ron's face turned back to the list, as if by looking at it, it could change, causing some more chuckle to escape Hermione and Harry.
More students were now arriving in the common room. Parvati stepped up to the board, while Neville came closer to Hermione and Harry.
"Well, what do you th-", started Neville, but a cry from Parvati interrupted him. As they turned to see what had happened, they saw Parvati throwing her arms around a very surprised Ronald Weasley.
"Oh well, that does make sense", muttered Hermione while they continued to watch the scene before them.
"How so?", asked a perplexed Harry, as they listened to Parvati expressing her delight of being in Ron's group.
"Well, think of it. Ron and Parvati share a bond together, namely Lavender. Being together means being able to support each other in the loss. I believe this is quite important for Parvati. That was a good thought."
"You might be right", said Ginny, still chuckling, while she again wiped away tears. "But what about the rest of the group? Seriously, Parvati Patil, Hannah Abbott, Isobel MacDougal and Pansy Parkinson? I mean it is not even my year and still I know they have put the most gossiping girls of your year - might even say of Hogwarts - in a group. With my brother." And at that she started laughing again.
"Well, that is going to be interesting indeed", said Hermione. "How about you, Neville?"
"I haven't looked yet. And you?"
"I'm all right", said Harry. "Got quite a tranquil group. No Slytherins at all. I am actually quite happy with it."
"And my group is- interesting, I suppose. Well, it caused Ginny to have divers burst of laughter this morning anyway. I am with Goldstein, Boots and Zabini."
"Oh wow. Well, that sounds like a group that's gonna suit you. But I would not change with you for all gold of the world! Well, I should try to have a look at my group. See you all at breakfast?", Neville asked.
"Yeah, see you downstairs Neville", said Harry.
As they entered the Great Hall for breakfast, a very excited Isobel MacDougal run towards Parvati and hugged her heartily.
"Oh Parvati, isn't that great? On the same group! And with Hannah! I am so looking forward to work with you!", she exclaimed. Parvati beamed at her, her face radiating happiness. Ron, who was standing beneath them, rolled his eyes.
"Well, Ron, at least you know what is coming towards you!", said a glowing Hannah Abbott who had just entered the Great Hall behind them.
"Hannah!" cried Parvati and Isobel at the same time and all three of them disappeared in a giant group hug. At this spectacle, Ron hid his face behind his hands.
Harry and Hermione where chuckling beneath him, until Harry poke Hermione with his elbow, pointing to the Slytherin table with a nod of his head. There, Pansy Parkinson was also hiding her face in her hands, while the hand of Blaise Zabini laid calmingly on her back. He was muttering something to her, surely in order to enlighten her mood, but his facial expression actually was quite bemused at the show in the entrance of the Great Hall. And when he noticed Hermione and Harry looking in their direction, he nodded once and smiled sheepishly at them. Hermione returned the nod, which caused Harry to chuckle again. This whole study group idea wasn't that bad after all, he thought while seating down at the Gryffindor table.
The happy feeling lasted only until he saw a quite pale Neville walk directly ahead after entering the great hall. He sat down beneath Padma Patil and started an agitated talk with her while they put their heads together.
"Did you see who was on Nevilles group?", Harry interrupted Hermione who was putting some marmalade on her toast. She raised her head and looked in the direction Harry was nodding to. "I don't know. Seems like he is with Padma. That would be nice, she would be able to help him for most classes."
"They do look stressed though", said Ron.
"Well, someone had to be sorted with Malfoy after all. I am glad it's not me!", said Seamus as he and Dean took the places on the other side of the table.
Ron's and Harry's mouths felt open, as they stared dumbfounded at Seamus.
"Malfoy is with Padma and Neville? Well that's an interesting choice", Hermione voiced.
"An interesting choice you call it? I say it's bloody insane someone even has to put up with this guy.", Dean countered.
"Whom are you with, anyway?" asked Hermione in order to change the subject.
"I'm with Justin from Hufflepuff, Sue Li from Ravenclaw and Theodore Nott from Slytherin. Did you know he was also sentenced to return to Hogwarts?", exclaimed Dean.
"Still better than my group. I'm with Ernest Macmillan and two Slytherins!", Seamus answered.
"Yeah, but they are Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis. Nothing next to Nott!"
"Well, I got Parkinson!"
"Guys, stop it!" interjected Hermione, sending them looks of reproach. "This is not about 'who got the worst Slytherin'! It's about getting to know each other, bridging over differences. We are still nearly kids and all of us had to face things we should never have had to. The same goes for them. Just try to give them a chance to prove you wrong instead of prejudicing all of them because they're Slytherins!". She throwed another heavy glance at each of them before standing up, taking her toast and informing them she would go to the library to prepare for class.
"She is right, you know", said Neville, which startled the four sitting Gryffindors.
"Really? You are on Malfoys group! How can you take it so lightly!", said Dean.
"I'm not taking it lightly, quite the contrary. But as McGonagall said yesterday, the staff has thought this through. There is a reason why it is me and Padma and Megan and not any of you on his group. You all have a much worst history with him."
"Didn't he bully you through the years?", asked Seamus
"Didn't he steal this ball in first year, nearly causing Harry's expulsion?", added Ron.
"Well, he may have made some terrible choices and yes, I used to be terrified of him as I was of Snape. But come on! After everything we've been through in the war! I've changed, we all did. We were all just kids back then! We've all grown up in our own ways, Malfoy included. Did you already forget what Harry and Hermione testified this summer?", exclaimed Neville, looking at the others. He then continued with a softer tone. "There must be something worth giving a chance there. It might take time, but Megan, Padma, and I are all known for our patience. It's going to work."
"Well, I am impressed by your benevolence. You might be right that McGonagall has thought this through. I wouldn't be this calm if it was me with Malfoy.", said Seamus.
"Well, actually, none of you is calm although it's me who will be working with Malfoy.", interjected Neville amused. This lighted up the mood and the five of them finished their breakfast talking about Harry's partners of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff before heading together to their first class of their last year.
